Abstract: A single wire cable conduit provided having a rhomboid-shaped wire including approximately parallel sides, a rounded first end, and a tapered second end. The wire is serpentine wound into a hollow tubular body having a plurality of approximately parallel adjoining wire loops. The wire loops each have the rounded first end positioned in continuous displaceable contact with the tapered second end of an adjacent loop. As the hollow tubular body deflects, each wire loop displaces relative to its adjacent wire loop. Each rounded first end is able to rotate and translate along the abutting tapered second end reducing both conduit bending resistance and potential friction damage to either a sleeve or cable and to a jacket covering the hollow tubular body.

Abstract: An integrated inlet manifold tuning valve for a variable configuration air inlet manifold and a charge motion control system. A tuning valve, which is preferably approximately a quarter-barrel valve, is arranged at an end of the low- and high-speed runners at or near an intake port for an internal combustion engine. The tuning valve operates to tune the variable manifold and provide a mixture motion for charge motion control.

Abstract: A weld nut has weld projections on both sides. The projections concentrate heat and melt when in contact with a component part, to form a lasting weld of the nut to the component part. Because there are weld projections on both sides of the nut, there is no risk that the nut will be placed against the component part upside down.

Abstract: An evaporative emission control and leak detection system for a motor vehicle is provided. The system is in fluid communication with a fuel tank, an engine, and a carbon canister and includes an integrated valve module that is connected to the carbon canister and is in fluid communication with the atmosphere. The module provides for venting of the system when the system is exposed to predetermined high negative and positive pressure conditions, and a predetermined low negative pressure condition. The module also includes a switch that is operable to indicate when the system is in a high or low negative pressure condition for leak detection verification of the system.

Abstract: A cover connector has posts which support a cover over an air intake manifold of an automotive vehicle engine, and also support fuel rails and ignited cable separator clips. Each post has a screw on the lower end adapted to thread into an anchorage of the air intake manifold, a clamping flange to clamp a mounting tab on one of the fuel rails down on the anchorage, a support flange to support an end of one of the cable separator clips, and a retainer to hold the end of the cable clip down on the support flange.

Abstract: A dual engine crankshaft coupling arrangement is provided. The coupling arrangement includes a starter clutch portion for frictionally engaging a crankshaft of a primary engine with a crankshaft of a secondary engine for starting the second engine. A phase clutch is also provided for engaging the first and second crankshafts in an angular specific relative orientation for proper timing relationships coupling of the engine crankshafts.

Abstract: An intake manifold for a V-type engine includes an air inlet for admitting air into the manifold, a first plenum in fluid communication with the air inlet, and second and third plenums that are each in fluid communication with the first plenum. The intake manifold also includes a short runner for each cylinder of the engine, which short runner connects the first plenum to the cylinder. The intake manifold further includes two sets of long runners. The first set of long runners connects the second plenum to one bank of engine cylinders, and the second set of long runners connects the third plenum to the other bank of cylinders.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for controlling a continuously variable transmission with improved response time, the continuously variable transmission having a first pulley engagable with an engine and having a second pulley drivingly connected to the first pulley by a belt. The first and second pulleys each have a fixed sheave and a movable sheave, a position of the movable sheaves defining a transmission ratio. The method and arrangement provides for disengaging the engine from the first pulley and increasing the speed of the engine to a target speed, reducing pressure to the movable sheave of the first pulley to a low value, increasing pressure to the movable sheave of the second pulley causing it to rapidly move to a new position thereby changing the transmission ratio to a target transmission ratio, increasing the pressure to the first pulley, and reengaging the engine to the first pulley.

Abstract: A system for controlling the flow of engine oil in a cylinder block that houses hydraulic lifters. The system includes a lifter gallery extending through the cylinder block, such that each of the hydraulic lifters are in fluid communication with the lifter gallery. The system also includes a flow restriction element for restricting the flow of the engine oil through at least a portion of the lifter gallery. Specifically, the flow restriction element is configured to be inserted into either a lifter gallery inlet opening or the lifter bores in order to reduce the cross-section of the lifter gallery and restrict the flow of engine oil through the lifter gallery.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for evaluating a surface quality of a simulated stamping which includes the steps of obtaining a CAD model of a desired part, calculate and display at least one image of true reflect line on the CAD model, obtaining a blank mesh representative of the part before the part is formed, and processing the blank mesh with a springback simulation software to obtain a deformed finite element analysis springback blank. True reflect lines are then calculated and displayed on the deformed FEA springback blank, and the reflect lines are compared with the true reflect lines on the CAD model to determine variance of the deformed springback blank with the CAD model.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system includes a combustion chamber having at least one intake port in communication with the combustion chamber and a corresponding intake valve for controlling a flow through the intake port into the combustion chamber. The combustion chamber also has at least one exhaust port in communication with the combustion chamber and a corresponding exhaust valve for controlling a flow through the exhaust port from the combustion chamber. In addition, the combustion chamber has at least one exhaust gas recirculation port in communication with the combustion chamber and with the exhaust port external or adjacent to the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas recirculation port has a corresponding exhaust gas recirculation valve for controlling a flow through the exhaust gas recirculation port into the combustion chamber. The exhaust gas recirculation valve may be separately actuatable from the intake valve and the exhaust valve.

Abstract: An improved stamping die assembly is provided for controlling the flow of sheet metal during the draw forming process. The die assembly includes a textured die surface on the one or both sides of the binder mating surfaces that replaces conventional draw and lock beads. The textured die surface can be formed using direct metal deposition of a hard material, harder than the existing die surfaces, on the existing die base material to achieve an engineered textured surface. The textured die surface optimizes the performance of the die by enabling longer die life, higher coefficients of friction between the mating binder surfaces and reduction of wrinkles and stringers typically caused by draw and lock beads in the draw forming process.

Abstract: A device for resisting rotation of a valve tappet, and in particular a roller valve tappet, is provided as part of a cylinder head gasket. The device includes a resilient portion having a flat face contacting a flat surface of a valve tappet to resist rotation thereof. The resiliency of the device urges the flat face against the flat surface of the valve tappet to resist rotation.

Abstract: A light-off and close coupled catalyst assembly for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a plurality of conically shaped catalysts disposed adjacent to the exhaust ports of a combustion engine. The assembly also includes a main brick catalyst disposed downstream of the conically shaped catalysts. The main brick catalyst includes an angled front face and a conically shaped downstream end.

Abstract: A combination speaker and dome lamp assembly is adapted to be mounted at the intersection of a roll bar and side bar of a vehicle equipped with such bars, such as convertible off-road vehicles.

Abstract: A cup holder for securely retaining a container, the cup holder includes a body having a radially extending flange. A series of upwardly extending arms are attached to the flange and adapted for pivotal movement thereabout. A rotating member is interconnected to the series of arms whereby the arms inwardly extend and are configured to collectively expand and contract.

Abstract: A carrier assembly for an automatic transmission comprises a cup and a plate connected to the cup. The cup has a first outside diameter, and the plate has a second outside diameter greater than the first outside diameter. The plate also has a channel extending inwardly from a circumference of the plate. A thrust washer having a tab is keyed into the channel.

Abstract: A motor vehicle power steering pump using engine coolant to cool the pump is provided. Engine coolant from the engine coolant system is partially diverted to a cooling jacket cast integrally with the housing for the pump, wherein the engine coolant flows to remove heat generated by the pump. The cooling jacket includes an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein engine coolant enters and exits before return to the engine coolant system. The cooling jacket is provided about a periphery of the pump housing and is disposed partially adjacent the pump housing. The coolant jacket, a gasket, and an end cover are assembled to provide the enclosed coolant flow path through the coolant jacket.

Abstract: A vehicle traction control system that is based on the management of the torque that is produced by the vehicle power train. The actual angular acceleration of a portion of the vehicle drive line is compared to the maximum predicted angular acceleration of the portion of the vehicle drive line to determine the occurrence of a wheel slipping condition. In response to the detection of a wheel slipping condition, the amount of excess drive torque that is being produced by the power train is quantified and the drive torque that is produced by the power train is reduced by an amount which corresponds to the excess. When the slipping condition has been abated, the reduction in the magnitude of the drive torque that is produced by the power train is reduced and eventually eliminated.

Abstract: A lift type tailgate on a passenger van type vehicle body is operated by an electric motor powered actuator with an electronic control circuit utilizing a microprocessor operating under program control to respond to user-initiated opening and closing signals to move the tailgate in the selected direction. In the control circuit, feedback information to the microprocessor indicative of tailgate position is provided by a potentiometer coupled with the actuator motor and the microprocessor is programmed to operate with this information to stop the tailgate at a wide open position, a partially closed position and a fully closed position. Obstruction detection is performed by the microprocessor using an obstruction detection circuit and additionally by monitoring the position signal input from the potentiometer to stop the tailgate on encountering an obstacle.